San Antonio clowns react to the return of Pennywise from ‘It’

San Antonio area clowns have differing reactions to the popularity of the evil clown trope on TV and in movies. For example, Pennywise the Dancing Clown will be scaring the bejesus out of moviegoers with the opening of the film “It,” based on the horror novel written by Stephen King. less

San Antonio area clowns have differing reactions to the popularity of the evil clown trope on TV and in movies. For example, Pennywise the Dancing Clown will be scaring the bejesus out of moviegoers with the ... more

Photo: Brooke Palmer /New Line Cinema

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BeBop

“Evil clowns have nothing to do with what we professional clowns do,” said Aurora Krause, who has been playing BeBop for 23 years and is a past president of the World Clown Association.

“Evil clowns have nothing to do with what we professional clowns do,” said Aurora Krause, who has been playing BeBop for 23 years and is a past president of the World Clown Association.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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BeBop

Kane said the evil clown trope on TV and in the movies does hurt working clowns us. “Seven or eight years ago, we had 300-plus at our annual (World Clown Association) meeting. Last year there were between 120 and 150.” less

Kane said the evil clown trope on TV and in the movies does hurt working clowns us. “Seven or eight years ago, we had 300-plus at our annual (World Clown Association) meeting. Last year there were between ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Buttons the Clown

“But you also see scary doctors, dolls, scientists and so forth,” McCurtain-Talbert continued. “So I don’t believe people see these evil clowns as a bad reflection on working clowns who bring so much joy to children from 3 to 99 years of age.” less

“But you also see scary doctors, dolls, scientists and so forth,” McCurtain-Talbert continued. “So I don’t believe people see these evil clowns as a bad reflection on working clowns who bring so much ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Buttons the Clown

“Every Halloween you see an increase in evil clowns,” said Buttons, who for 12 years has been played by Diana McCurtain-Talbert.

“Every Halloween you see an increase in evil clowns,” said Buttons, who for 12 years has been played by Diana McCurtain-Talbert.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Chencho

Jose Pastrano said he doesn’t remember coming across the evil clown trope in TV and movies when he started playing Chencho 30 years ago.

Jose Pastrano said he doesn’t remember coming across the evil clown trope in TV and movies when he started playing Chencho 30 years ago.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Chencho

“I don’t take (the popularity of evil clowns) personally,” Pastrano said. “In fact, I don’t mind when I see clowns in horror movies and TV shows. I enjoy them.”

“I don’t take (the popularity of evil clowns) personally,” Pastrano said. “In fact, I don’t mind when I see clowns in horror movies and TV shows. I enjoy them.”

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Knucklehead Duh Clown

Bill Johnson has been playing Knucklehead for 24 years, and last year was the first time he saw his business suffer from evil clown syndrome. “They were all over the place, especially those reports about scary clowns roaming neighborhoods,” he said. He estimated calls were off by about 25 percent. less

Bill Johnson has been playing Knucklehead for 24 years, and last year was the first time he saw his business suffer from evil clown syndrome. “They were all over the place, especially those reports about ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Knucklehead Duh Clown

Johnson, shown here with a fan, said he’d never play an evil clown. “It’s not my style,” he explained. “(Playing a clown) is an art that I perform. I take it very seriously.” Fortunately, business is back to normal for him as the clown scare has worn off. less

Johnson, shown here with a fan, said he’d never play an evil clown. “It’s not my style,” he explained. “(Playing a clown) is an art that I perform. I take it very seriously.” Fortunately, business ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Silks the Clown

“The popularity of evil clowns bothers me a lot,” said John Viner, who has been appearing as Silks the Clown for 37 years. “I’ve been working parties and had kids and even teenagers tell me they’re afraid of clowns because of that Stephen King book and TV miniseries. I wish he’d never written it.” less

“The popularity of evil clowns bothers me a lot,” said John Viner, who has been appearing as Silks the Clown for 37 years. “I’ve been working parties and had kids and even teenagers tell me they’re ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Silks the Clown

Viner was particularly incensed by last year’s sightings of creepy clowns roaming near schools and forests. “Anyone who does something like that should be arrested and charged with child abuse,” he said. less

Viner was particularly incensed by last year’s sightings of creepy clowns roaming near schools and forests. “Anyone who does something like that should be arrested and charged with child abuse,” he ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

San Antonio clowns react to the return of Pennywise from ‘It’

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Beware, evil clowns ahead.

The latest adaptation of Stephen King’s supernatural horrorfest “It,” based on his 1986 book that also was made into a 1990 TV miniseries, opened Friday in theaters nationwide, introducing a whole new generation to the malevolent “Pennywise the Dancing Clown.”

The current season of FX’s anthology series “American Horror Story” features killer clowns rampaging through a quaint Michigan suburb.

And haunted houses throughout the city are gearing up for Halloween, their terrifying offerings bound to include many an insane clown and his posse.

In other words, the public can’t seem to get enough of bizarro Bozos scaring the bejesus out of them.

Arts & Culture

But what say traditional working-class clowns? Those makeup-wearing, slapstick-performing goofballs, long a mainstay of circuses, birthday parties and supermarket openings? Are they laughing on the outside, crying on the inside?

We checked in with several of our favorites from around town to see if the scary clown syndrome keeps them up at night.